PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andrew Stern on E-bike Regulations
8:17:00
·
92 sec
Andrew Stern testifies in opposition to Intro 606, expressing concerns about potential scrutiny of cyclists by the NYPD and the impact on e-bike users. He advocates for addressing issues with mopeds and supports Intro 1131 for improving street safety.
- Highlights the difference between e-bikes and mopeds, emphasizing that mopeds are more problematic due to their weight and speed
- Urges the council to focus on implementing bike lanes and meeting the goals of the street plan
- Warns that Intro 606 could threaten thousands of cyclists who rely on e-bikes for daily transportation
UNKNOWN
8:17:00
My name is Andrew Stern, and I'm here to testify in opposition to intro 606.
8:17:04
As a cyclist, I don't wanna worry about being stopped or scrutinized by the NYPD because I'm riding a bike, and I think it might be a class 3 e bike.
8:17:11
There are absolutely problems with mopeds and the incentives that delivery stats are subject to, and I encourage the council to address these problems with another bill, such as intro 1131.
8:17:20
There's also a real problem with mopeds in the city, which already require registration, but there's a lack of enforcement.
8:17:25
Mopeds, which are large, heavy, often gas powered vehicles without pedals, are disproportionately harming pedestrians and cyclists.
8:17:32
They have no place being parked on the sidewalk or being driven in the bike lane, but this is what we so often see, mopeds in the bike lane weaving around cyclists.
8:17:40
These mopeds are often disingenuously called ebikes by opponents of biking who are deliberately trying to confuse the issue.
8:17:46
The force of a crash is mass times acceleration, and that's the problem with mopeds.
8:17:50
They're heavy, often 200 pounds or more, unlike ebikes, which are almost all under a £100.
8:17:55
They're also able to travel faster than any ebike.
8:17:58
Mopeds have no place in our bike lanes, and I hope the council takes this issue seriously with the bill addressing that.
8:18:03
I urge you to pass intro 1131 because bikes are essential to our city's transition into a more sustainable place, and we must ensure everyone is safe.
8:18:10
I encourage this council to focus on keeping this administration accountable, ensuring that they're meeting the goals required in the street's plan, 50 miles of bike lanes each year.
8:18:19
Bike lanes separate cyclists of all kinds from pedestrians and cars, and they keep everybody safe.
8:18:24
Intro 606 has the potential to threaten 100 of 1000 of cyclists who just want to safely ride to work or to school or to their homes.
8:18:31
Thank you.
